Every year, L’ Étape du Tour welcomes several thousand cyclists. In order that every one of them can enjoy a unique experience in smooth conditions, the start is managed using “starting areas”.
By placing all the participants according to their level of fitness, we will limit the number of riders who overtake others and considerably reduce the risk of bottlenecks on the approach to the first difficulties on the route.
Depending on your level of fitness and experience of L’Étape du Tour, you will be allocated a starting area number: the lower your number, the earlier you will start.
Here are the criteria used to allocate the various starting areas:
- the ranking according to the real time achieved on the 2015 Etape du Tour;
- the ranking according to the real time achieved on the 2013 and 2014 Etape du Tour;
- the best scratch ranking achieved between 2013 and 2015 on one of the cyclosportives which is part of the Club Prestige FFC (l’Ardéchoise, la Marmotte, la Pierre Le Bigaut Muco, le Ch’ti Bike Tour and l’Ariégoise);
- your sporting objective on the 2016 Etape du Tour.
If you hold a 1st, 2nd or 3rd category 2016 FFC licence or a 1st category 2016 UFOLEP licence, it will also be considered when determining your initial allocation.
